Page 42 of David's Love

My hands quiver as I pull a warm top on and slide my sweatpants up. My first trip is to the window. I pick up my phone on my way over before sneaking a glance outside.

My neighbor’s windows are dark, and everything else seems in order. My pulse still races as I turn around and tip toe my wayto the back door. I can’t say I’m not scared shitless. Who was that man?

Had he just walked across several neighbors’ lawns before moving past my house. That could be an explanation.

It’s just that I have a hard time believing it.

I peer through the window in the back. The porch is dark. I wish I had a light over there.

I check the door.

Thankfully, it’s locked.

Moving quickly, I reach the living room and check the windows from afar. The blinds are down and slightly open. I can see the street and the cars parked in front of my house.

My old ride is there.

My other car is parked down the street.

A sigh of relief moves out of my chest when I check the door. This one is locked, too.

Shit, this was some scare.

I never thought living on my own could be so stressful. And now I’m rethinking this whole me renting a house. A condo might’ve been better. There are people around.

And some of the nicer places have security on site.

Well, it’s too late now.

I don’t know what made me think this was a good idea.

Oh, I remember. I thought that I’d have everything within walking distance.

The gym, groceries, and my favorite cafe.

Look how it all worked out.

It didn’t.

I’m barely going anywhere. I shop for food near campus. I do my work out in front of the computer screen.

And I write stuff that has no business being in a published book.

There’s that.

“Uh… What was that?”

My eyes fly to the window again as the headlights of a car come on, and someone turns the engine on.

I forget how to breathe.

It can’t be that man.

But something tells me that it is.

I leap to the window and peer outside, concealed by the darkness of the room.

The person is not in a rush. And no, I don’t recognize that car. It’s parked across the street, facing the exit of the neighborhood.

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